Why Angel Dust From Deadpool Looks So Familiar
By Ava Barnes
Once upon a time, Carano was a main event attraction in the world of mixed martial arts. Years before Ronda Rousey ushered in a new era for female MMA competitors, Carano — who first rose to prominence in the kickboxing game and Muay Thai — was the sport's first breakout female star in the mid-2000s.
She began her MMA career with a pair of eye-catching, knockout wins in World Extreme Fighting and World Pro Fighting Championships, respectively. From there, she made the move to the burgeoning Strikeforce promotion, where she participated in its first-ever female fight, beating Elaina Maxwell. In 2007, she began her star-making run with EliteXC, beating Julie Kedzie, Tonya Evinger, Kaitlin Young, and Kelly Kobold over the next two years and pushing her undefeated record to 7-0.
However, Carano's impressive streak came to an end at a Strikeforce event in 2009, when she squared off with Cris Cyborg (who, in 2021, is the Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion). Although she had rarely been challenged to that point in her career, Carano was completely overpowered by Cyborg, who won via first-round TKO.
That would prove to be Carano's last fight. At one point, she was slated to make her return in a dream match with Rousey, however, she later told ESPN that UFC president Dana White ruined the deal. Instead, she continued to focus on her fledgling acting career.
